Dan Phelps
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Music
Press
"Singer and guitarist Dan Phelps is from Illinois and has been making quite a hit in the UK with his vintage country blues stylings since he first toured here in 2004. This set shows that his following is justified, as he is far more than competent with a strong, percussive attack on steel guitar and powerful vocals, a wide-ranging repertoire of originals and classics from the likes of Blind Lemon, Gary Davis, Robert Johnson and Charley Patton, and an obvious enthusiasm for his material allied to his individual approach.
Unsurprisingly perhaps, he has been mentored by Catfish Keith, and fans of that slide maestro are recommended to check this out."
Norman Darwen, Blues and Rhythm Magazine - Blues and Rhythm Magazine
"Singer and guitarist Dan Phelps is from Illinois and has been making quite a hit in the UK with his vintage country blues stylings since he first toured here in 2004. This set shows that his following is justified, as he is far more than competent with a strong, percussive attack on steel guitar and powerful vocals, a wide-ranging repertoire of originals and classics from the likes of Blind Lemon, Gary Davis, Robert Johnson and Charley Patton, and an obvious enthusiasm for his material allied to his individual approach.
Unsurprisingly perhaps, he has been mentored by Catfish Keith, and fans of that slide maestro are recommended to check this out."
Norman Darwen, Blues and Rhythm Magazine - Blues and Rhythm Magazine
"His vocals are gruff and matter-of-fact on the self-released Matchbox Blues, and is guitar work is completely blues-approved, whether persuasive in the Delta style (on covers of Charley Patton's "Pony Blues" and "Green River Blues"), playing Piedmont blues (the Rev. Gary Davis' "She's Funny That Way"), or on his own compositions ("East Coast Women"). Rhythmic originals such as "Done Left Here" prove Phelps a worthy interpreter and torchbearer." - Oct/Nov 2005
"His vocals are gruff and matter-of-fact on the self-released Matchbox Blues, and is guitar work is completely blues-approved, whether persuasive in the Delta style (on covers of Charley Patton's "Pony Blues" and "Green River Blues"), playing Piedmont blues (the Rev. Gary Davis' "She's Funny That Way"), or on his own compositions ("East Coast Women"). Rhythmic originals such as "Done Left Here" prove Phelps a worthy interpreter and torchbearer." - Oct/Nov 2005
Discography
"Broke Down Engine" released in 2003 and "Matchbox Blues" released in 2005 are both critically acclaimed and highly respected CDs available through CDBaby and iTunes.
Photos
Bio
Dan Phelps is an Illinois native who has been performing acoustic blues for 20 years. He has played all over the U.S. as well as the UK and Europe.
His two CD releases have met with critical acclaim in US and British blues magazines such as Blues Revue and Blues and Rhythm magazines.
In addition to packing small clubs as well as large theaters, Phelps has shared festival billing with the likes of Pat Donohue, Bob Brozman and Alvin Youngblood Hart.
Phelps has also appeared on the widely respected Paul Jones Blues show on the BBC twice, having been asked back after overwhelming listener response to his first performance.
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